POI S ON I NG : F IR S T A I D

NTOS, JOHN K ENNE TH C .

BY : SA
CONTENT
• Introduction..
• Causes of Poisoning?
• effects of Poisoning?
• Symptoms of being Poison.?
• What are needed to First Aid for Poisoning?
• Why it is important to do the First Aid?
• Steps for the First Aid
• Do’s and Don’ts while doing the First Aid.
• Other treatments for being Poison.
• Conclusion.
INTRODUCTION
A poison is a substance capable of producing adverse effects on an
individual under appropriate conditions. It  causes damage to living tissues
and has an injurious or fatal effect on the body, whether it is ingested,
inhaled, or absorbed or injected through the skin. And there are many
occasions when a person may experience being poisoned in different ways.

There are different types of poisons such as Microbial poisons, Animal

poisons, and Metallic poisons which are classified by their uses as
pesticides, household products, pharmaceuticals, organic solvents, drugs of
abuse, or industrial chemicals.
CAUSES OF POISONING
There are several ways you can be exposed to poison. You could breathe it
in, swallow it, or absorb it through your skin. Poisoning can be an accident
or a planned action.

• Ethanol intoxication can cause accute poisoning.

• Medical drug overdose ccause suicidal poisoning.
• Both smoke inhalation and intake of illegal drug cause of death from
acute poisoning
• Ingestion of chemicals (particularly detergents and cleaning products),
cosmetics, or plant matter can cause severe poisoning.
CAUSES OF POISONING
Other substances that are harmful and can cause poisoning include:

• Household products and personal care products, like nail polish remover and mouthwash.
• Cleaning products and detergents.
• Paint thinner, pesticides and bug spray.
• Lawn chemicals, such as herbicides, fertilizers, and fungicides.
• Mercury that can be found in thermometer
• Metals, such as lead
• Prescription and over-the-counter medicines when combined or taken the wrong way and
intake of illegal drugs.
• Carbon monoxide gas
• Spoiled food
• Plants, such as poison ivy and poison oak
• Venom from certain snakes and insects
POISON EFFECTS
• Toxic chemicals can harm the immune system and cause chronic disease.
These conditions can increase deadly cases of the virus.
• Accumulation of toxins within the body can cause endocrine (hormone)
disruption and inflammatory dysregulation which can then alter the
chemical messengers your body relies on to carry out proper immune
function.
• The lasting effects of poisoning vary. It depends on the substance,
amount, and type of exposure. Your age, weight, and state of health also
affect your outcome. Poisoning can cause short-term effects, like a skin
rash or brief illness. In serious cases, it can cause brain damage, a coma,
or death.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF POISONING?
The effects of poisoning depend on the substance, amount, and type of contact.
Your age, weight, and state of health also affect your symptoms. However, if you
think someone has been poisoned, DO NOT wait for symptoms to develop.
Symptoms of poisoning include:

• Nausea and/or vomiting * Redness or sores around the mouth

• Diarrhea * Drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Rash * Trouble breathing
• Dry mouth * Shaking or seizures
• Confusion * Fainting
• Dilated pupils (bigger than normal)
• Constricted pupils (smaller than normal).
IMPORTANCE : KNOWLEDGE ABOUT POISONING
• It is very important to know the causes, effects and symptoms about
poisoning to avoid the life threathining symptoms. And also the sooner you
recognize poisoning symptoms, the better the outcome. Also, having
knowledge about poisoning can help you to know how to deal with this
situation.

• It is important to know that just because a package does not have a warning
label does not mean a substance is safe. You should consider poisoning if
someone suddenly becomes sick for no apparent reason. Poisoning should
also be considered if the person is found near a furnace, car, fire, or in an
area that is not well ventilated. And also, symptoms of poisoning may take
time to develop.
Types of poisoning Definition Causes
1. FOOD POISONING It is a food born illness. • Eating contaminated food
• Infectious organisms —
including bacteria, viruses and
parasites — or their toxins
2. SUFFOCATION OF Chemical Asphyxia Carbon monoxide. This is a
GASES Another type of asphyxia is called "chemical." In this colorless, odorless gas that comes
type, a chemical keeps oxygen from reaching your cells. from burning different types of fuel.
If you breathe in too much of it, the
gas builds up in your body and
replaces the oxygen in your blood.

Cyanide. It keeps cells from taking

oxygen in. You're at risk of cyanide
poisoning if you breathe smoke
during a fire, have contact with
certain industrial chemicals, or
work in jobs like mining or
metalworking.

Hydrogen sulfide. This gas smells

like a rotten egg. It can come from
sewage, liquid manure, sulfur hot
Symptoms begin 30 minutes to 8 hours after
exposure
FIRST AID FOR FOOD POISONING
FIRST AID FOR VENOM POISONING
Move the person beyond striking distance of the snake.
Have the person lie down with wound below the heart.
Keep the person calm and at rest, remaining as still as
possible to keep venom from spreading. Cover the
wound with loose, sterile bandage.
SUFFOCATION BY GASES
STEPS OF THE FIRST AID FOR POISONING.
Most exposures to poisons can be treated with general emergency care
and, if necessary, with symptomatic intensive-care measures.  Immediate
first aid is very important in a poisoning emergency.

Step 1: Check for safety before approaching the victim.

• Ensure safety for yourself, victim and any others before
approaching to give first aid. If safe and necessary, remove the
victim to a safer area.
• Note any information about the nature of the poisoning incident,
e.g. tablets, berries, burns around the mouth etc.
STEPS OF THE FIRST AID FOR POISONING.
Step 2 : Check the victim’s level of consciousness

If unconscious
• If breathing normally, turn the victim on the side to clear and open the
airway.
• If not breathing normally, begin CPR — see Resuscitation.
• If there are burns around the mouth, wipe the area clean before starting
CPR — See Resuscitation
If conscious
• If they've been poisoned by swallowing something, try to get them to
spit out anything that is remaining in their mouth.
• If the mouth is burnt from a corrosive poison, wipe the area with a moist
cloth or tissues.
GIVING FIRST AID FOR POISONING
The first aid you give before getting medical help can save a person's life. But
it doesn’t mean that you can help recklessly so here are the Dos and Don’t’s
that should remember before, during and after giving the first aid for
poisoning.

For poisoning by swallowing and some inhalations:

• Check and monitor the person's airway, breathing, and pulse. If necessary,
begin rescue breathing and CPR.
• Try to make sure that the person has indeed been poisoned. It may be hard
to tell. Some signs include chemical-smelling breath, burns around the
mouth, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or unusual odors on the person. If
possible, identify the poison.
GIVING FIRST AID FOR POISONING
• DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by a health care
professional.
• If the person vomits, clear the person's airway. Wrap a cloth around your
fingers before cleaning out the mouth and throat. If the person has been
sick from a plant part, save the vomit.
• If the person starts having convulsions, give convulsion first aid.
• Keep the person comfortable. The person should be rolled onto the left
side, and remain there while getting or waiting for medical help.
• If the poison has spilled on the person's clothes, remove the clothing and
flush the skin with water.
GIVING FIRST AID FOR POISONING
For inhalation poisoning:
• Call for emergency help. Never attempt to rescue a person without
notifying others first.
• If it is safe to do so, rescue the person from the danger of the gas, fumes,
or smoke. Open windows and doors to remove the fumes.
• Take several deep breaths of fresh air, and then hold your breath as you
go in. Hold a wet cloth over your nose and mouth.
• DO NOT light a match or use a lighter because some gases can catch fire.
• After rescuing the person from danger, check and monitor the person's
airway, breathing, and pulse. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and
CPR.
GIVING FIRST AID FOR POISONING
• If necessary, perform first aid for eye injuries or convulsion first aid.
• If the person vomits, clear the person's airway. Wrap a cloth around
your fingers before cleaning out the mouth and throat.
• Even if the person seems perfectly fine, get medical help.
REMEMBER
DO NOT:
• Give an unconscious person anything by mouth.
• Induce vomiting unless you are told to do so by the Poison Control
Center or a doctor. A strong poison that burns on the way down the
throat will also do damage on the way back up.
• Try to neutralize the poison with lemon juice or vinegar, or any other
substance, unless you are told to do so by the Poison Control Center or a
doctor.
• Use any "cure-all" type antidote.
• Wait for symptoms to develop if you suspect that someone has been
poisoned.
OTHER TREATMENTS FOR FOOD POISONING.
Hospital treatment
Some people who have swallowed a poisonous substance or overdosed on
medication will be admitted to hospital for examination and treatment.
Possible treatments that can be used to treat poisoning include:
• activated charcoal – sometimes used to treat someone who's been
poisoned; the charcoal binds to the poison and stops it being further
absorbed into the blood
• antidotes – these are substances that either prevent the poison from
working or reverse its effects
• sedatives – may be given if the person is agitated
• ventilator (breathing machine) – may be used if the person stops
breathing
• anti-epileptic medicine – may be used if the person has seizures (fits)